Ryanair expands its presence in Ukraine, − Volodymyr Omelyan

Today, November 20, 2019, a joint press conference of Volodymyr Omelyan, the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, and David O’Brien, Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer took place.

“Ryanair is with Ukraine. This is an important victory, which two years ago seemed unattainable. Today we had the meeting with the President of Ukraine and David O’Brien. I thank to the Head of State for the full support of the Ministry of Infrastructure, in particular, regarding the attraction of low-cost airlines and the development of regional airports”, − the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine emphasized at the beginning of the press conference.

According to him, thanks to the transparent rules of the game, as well as the fair competition on the aviation market that the Ministry of Infrastructure has established, European airlines have entered in a struggle for a Ukrainian passenger: “Citizens of Ukraine can take advantage of affordable flights. The share of low-cost international flights is already around 30%, while it was less than 5% just few years ago. Now, various airlines offer about 110 flights on low-cost fares. Today, the air ticket to the EU countries for 350-700 hryvnias is the reality. At the same time, other airlines have to increase the level of passenger’s service in order to keep their customers and justify higher prices”.

“Therefore we have a double effect in the form of decrease of airfare prices and increase quality of service. Low-cost carriers generate 70% of new passenger traffic, those people who have never traveled before or did it before by land transport. Airlines operating on this model in all regions of the world have the largest growth dynamics in air transportation and their share is constantly increasing. Because they operate on direct routes, they are interested in the development of regional airports in the country to which they fly. It is an opportunity for Ukrainian regional airports to revive and increase their indicators”, − Volodymyr Omelyan said.

In his opinion, free access of low-cost airlines to all airports in the country is a sign of a competitive air transport market without the lobbyist influence of monopoly or oligarchic structures.

“I would like to point out that the prospects for our cooperation are much wider: we are discussing the possibility of the creation an IT- Ryanair center in Ukraine, a base for airplanes servicing and expand geography of flights to regional airports”, − the Head of the Ministry added.

David O’Brien said: “Ryanair is pleased to launch our first ever Ukraine Summer 2019 schedule, with 22 summer routes, including 5 new routes to Athens, Dublin, Manchester, Sofia and Paphos, starting in April 2019, which will help deliver over 1 million customers through Lviv and Kyiv airports, which will support over 750 jobs at the airports and in the wider economies of Kyiv and Lviv Oblasts. To celebrate, we are releasing seats for on our Ukraine routes from just 5.00 euro, for travel in November 2019, which are available for booking until midnight Thursday (22 Nov). Since these amazing low fares will be snapped up quickly, customers should log onto www.ryanair.com and avoid missing out”.

“Ryanair is struggling with us to ensure that Ukrainians can fly cheaply and freely throughout the European Union. Now we are waiting on fulfilling promise of the European Commission to sign the Common Aviation Area agreement. This is the key, which now holds Ukraine away from full-fledged air links with EU cities. Moreover, this holds back not only Ukraine, but also European companies. However, I believe that in the first half of next year this long-awaited and long-promised Agreement will be finally signed”, − Volodymyr Omelyan added.

Ukrainian consumers and visitors can now book their holidays on 22 routes for summer 2019 on the lowest fares. To celebrate the launch of its Ukraine summer 2019 schedule, Ryanair has launched a seat sale with fares from Ukraine on sale from just €5.00, for travel between November and February, which must be booked by midnight Thursday (22 Nov) only on the Ryanair.com website.